Vancouver, Canada – India has taken steps to restrict access to a Canadian documentary investigating the assassination of a Sikh activist in Vancouver. This move underscores India’s growing frustration with accusations that its government was involved in the killing. This is not the first time India has attempted to block critical documentaries; in the past, emergency laws were used to halt the distribution of other films.
Recently, a 43-minute documentary titled “Contract to Kill” aired on CBC’s Fifth Estate, shedding light on the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was fatally shot in a parking lot in suburban Vancouver. The investigation into his murder led Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to acknowledge “credible allegations” that agents of the Indian government were responsible. India has denied these claims, leading to strained relations between the two countries.
YouTube confirmed that it received an order from India’s ministry of electronics and information technology to block the video of the documentary within the country. The Indian government cited the Information Technology Act of 2000 as the basis for its request to restrict access to the content.
The documentary features security footage of Nijjar being shot in a parking lot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple. Despite Canada’s allegations, no arrests have been made in connection with Nijjar’s assassination. New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, has expressed skepticism about Canada’s claims, emphasizing the need for conclusive evidence before drawing any firm conclusions.
Canada’s ongoing police investigation has yet to yield any arrests in the case, leaving the allegations against India unresolved. The situation reflects the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the investigation into Nijjar’s assassination and the strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.